The Ultimate Guide to a Neat and Tidy Closet

If you find yourself moving to a new place or a different apartment or simply transitioning into a new season, you’d be presented with the difficult task to organise and tidy your closet. For some, this is a daunting task while for others, they simply don’t have the time to take on the humongous job. 

Graana.com brings you simple ways to organise your closet in five easy and simple steps. 

 

1. Clear your closet

 

You may be tempted to pick out a few troublesome sections of the closet and clean them so you don’t have to undertake the task of cleaning out every nook and corner of the wardrobe. But ideally, you should take out every single piece of clothing from the closet and analyse what you want to do with it.

If you are looking to deep clean your wardrobe and create a system at the same time, this step is essential and cannot be skipped.

Take out all items and give your closet a good sweep so it’s clean for the organisation process. This will also provide you with a clean slate which will translate into a clean and clutter-free outlook. 

 

2. Sort your belongings

 

After you’ve taken everything out of the closet, you’ll most probably be having a mountain of clothes lying in front of you. Some of them you’ll fondly remember, some you won’t even recall ever wearing – it’ll be a giant mess you have to clean up. Chances are some of the stuff is redundant for you and no longer fits.

The best way to go about it is by creating different piles – keep, throw, donate and pack. Pick out every single piece in the wardrobe and ask yourself whether it brings joy to you.

It is famously known as the Marie Condo method.

In this method, you pick out the piece and ask whether it brings you happiness. If you currently use it, then you get to keep it. If it is no longer in use but invokes nostalgia, then you take a picture of it, and let it go.

Similarly, you can divide the extra clothing into donating and throwing piles depending on the condition of the items. This way, you will be able to minimise the amount of clutter you have in the wardrobe. 

 

3.  Plus one, minus one

 

Once you’ve done preliminary scouting of the clothing pile, you can come back and assess the items you have left in your closet.

Ask yourself, do I really need this piece? Do I have something similar that can serve me the same purpose?

If the answer to these questions is a no and yes respectively, it is about time to let that item go. A good trick is to use the ‘plus one, minus one’ method.

As humans and shopaholics, we are inclined towards buying things we feel we might need. Over time, the items pile up. To do away with this habit, try removing one item from your closet every time you buy a new one. This way, the total number of items will remain the same and at the same time, you’ll be able to enjoy shopping for new stuff. 

 

4. If it doesn’t fit, let it go

 

Another tip to exercise is to let go of items that no longer fit. Don’t fall into the trap of thinking that you’ll come back and wear it at a later date. Or if that item doesn’t fit, you’ll be able to fit back into it. While that is a possibility, it is not wise to hoard items for that moment. You can always purchase items if there is a need but it is not wise to hoard items of an event that might or might not happen. 

 

5. Create a system

 

Lastly, no matter how many times you clean your closet, if you don’t create a system and remain disciplined, you are most likely going to revert to your old habits. Developing habits don’t happen overnight. Habits are consistently practised so they become a part of your lifestyle.

To help you make effective habits, try creating a system.

Dedicate a place for seasonal clothing so you don’t have to worry about them.

Next, invest in some organisational boxes so every item has its place and you know where each item goes – this makes sure it is organised at all times.